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Monday, March 14, 2011

And it's a good thing you did read all the way through because you will ALSO receive a copy of Real Life & Liars! So please send me your full name and mailing address and you'll get your two books by Kristina Riggle! Congrats! And there are many more books to come! Lots of two-fers still coming your way and maybe even a THREE-fer as well! Thanks everyone for stopping by!

I met Kristina Riggle at a writer’s conference just as she was getting established as an author. She had gotten her dream agent (this is EVERYBODY’S dream agent, guys!), and her first book was on its way to publication, Real Life & Liars (more on that later). She was sweet and kind and I wish I got to hang out with her more that weekend.

Here’s a snippet on THE LIFE YOU’VE IMAGINED, which is her second novel:

In high school, Cami and Anna were as close as they could be...now, years later, both have returned to their hometown to face the people they had once left behind. Anna must confront her mother, still distraught over the abandonment of her husband, and come to terms with choices she had made years before. While Cami returns home to stay with her alcoholic father, she uncovers a secret he sought to keep which could change her life and salvage her future. They reconnect with their classmate, Amy, who can't understand why achieving the thin body and handsome man of her dreams hasn't given her the happily-ever-after she desired. This is a novel that digs deep and touches the heart of the issues so many women face-the quest for perfection, the hope of love, the value of family and importance of always striving for your dream.To win THE LIFE YOU’VE IMAGINED, leave me a comment on something you’ve always imagined you’d like to do: Skydiving, painting, sleeping in til noon. Of course, for me, it’s having my novel published (I've got to finish writing it first!). So, get creative and be honest on this one. I can’t wait to hear your answers – what have you always imagined you’d like to do someday?

Kristina also has a third novel coming out this summer, June 28, to be exact. If you’re still sticking around MaNiC then, I will be sure to keep you posted and perhaps there will be a giveaway for that book too! It’s called: THINGS WE DIDN’T SAY (don’t you LOVE the title’s of Kristina’s books?!) Here's a description:

What makes up a family? For Casey it’s sharing a house with her fiancé, Michael, and his three children, whom she intends to nurture better than she ever took care of her self. But Casey’s plans have come undone. Michael’s silences have grown unfathomable and deep. His daughter Angel seethes as only a teenage girl can, while the wide-eyed youngest, Jewel, quietly takes it all in.

Then, son Dylan runs off and the kids’ mother, a woman never afraid to say just what she thinks, noisily barges into the home. That’s when Casey decides that the silences can no longer continue. She must begin speaking the words no one else can say. She’ll have to dig up secrets—including her own—uncovering hurts, and beginning healing that is too long overdue. And it all begins with just a few tentative words…

Kristina digs deep into relationships, and her characters are real and scarred, full of heart, with secrets and worries, and you’ll want to read all three of her books, I guarantee you!

Have you gotten this far into the post? Because if you have, there’s a little surprise for you. When you leave your comment, if you also put RL at the end, I will enter you to win Kristina Riggle’s first book REAL LIFE & LIARS as well because it just so happens I have an extra copy right here in my hot little hands! So, kudos to you for reading through to the end!

PeaCe uP my friends!
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Please leave a comment, and all those who do will qualify to win The Life You've Imagined! I’ll draw the winner in a couple of days and I will post the winner’s name at the TOP of this post, in the highlighted area.

Come back and read about each book every day in March. Choose the books you'd like to win. Enter for any or ALL the books. Each entry will count as an entry toward the grand prize of winning ALL 31+ books at the end of the month. You can win the book of the day and still qualify to win ALL the books at the end of the month!

PLEASE be specific with your name in the comment section, and IF YOUR NAME is listed as the winner, you must email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com in order to claim your prize. Email me with your full name and address so I can have your book(s) sent to you.

Thanks, and GOOD LUCK! And come back tomorrow to see what book I’ll be giving away then too!

190 comments:

Anonymous
said...

I have always wanted to do some sort of jumping from a high place - like a plane, or a cliff, or bridge. I think the thrill of free falling would be completely exhilarating. However, I am not a fan of heights or smashing hard into the ground, so not sure that will ever actual happen. Thanks for all the great book suggestions! RLJillMitch

I've always wanted to travel more, to see more than the few states along the eastern seaboard that I've seen. Of course with three kids and a husband who would rather pull teeth than get in a car, and thinks vacations are when he should stay home and hang out with his buddies...it doesn't seem very doable at this point. I would love to go on a cruise, see Australia as well as explore the rest of the USA among others.

I have always imagined wanting to own a coffee shop. A small little coffee shop that has shelves upon shelves of books people left behind or swapped, so that people could come in, order coffee, and curl up with a book. Maybe when I retire.

My dream has always been to be at both of my children's weddings. Yes, I'd love to write a book (memoir) and I'd like to get my house finished (we've been here 10 years and my decorating ability is anorexic...unlike the rest of me), but my real mark on the world are my two babies (21 and almost 19). Thank you for the contest and for giving me a fun way to spend March! RL ktmixon315

I've always wanted to take a drive cross country. This will probably never happen since I get car sick after five minutes, but I would still love to do it. I'd like to rent a giant RV and pile in with the husband and kids and just drive all over :) RL

Things I've always wanted to do? The list is long - "bucket list" long! Here are just a few: skydiving, live in Europe (it used to be Italy but now I've added France, England, Scotland and Germany to that list), hike the Grand Canyon, drive across the US in an RV. RL

I have always imagined I would own my own business one day....don't know exactly what, but I think it would be along the lines of women's fitness or a fun place for kids, like an indoor bounce house type thingy! One day I'll make my dream come true! RLButtah

I always wanted to be able to sing! Probably not much I can do to make that happen since I'm tone deaf but it is a dream! I also always wanted to go to Hawaii and since that is slightly more attainable I'll probably go with that one!! Sounds like another fun book!

I use to work on a very busy street and would see all these older girls driving a motorcycle and would think if they can do that I can do that! Well I did! I always told my husband I would never ever ride in the rain. Well guess what? I did that too! So now I would like to drive to the other side of the state for a weekend getaway. RLPennygirl, Manitowoc

I know this is going to sound crazy but I've always wanted to write a book. Recently, I've started to write down a few serious ideas. There is really no reason i can't do it. Well,right now my biggest obstical is...me. Debydew110

I have always wanted to have a family of my own. And I pray that I get that chance after we get married. But before kids, I hope to travel the world with my future husband. Definitely an experience I'd like to share with him. <3

For years all could imagine doing was being a successful, young business person. I was on a one way street in my mind. Get where we I want to be and thats all I would ever need. Now that I'm running my business and where I thought i wanted to be all I can imagine is ending it all and becoming a stay at home mom.

Or... Becoming a stunt driver (or at least taking a few classes, because in my mind I am already half way there) and driving some bad ass cars. Or just having the job of the top gear guys on BBC America :)

Oh, where to begin. Of course there's always been skydiving and joining a roller derby team, but I would love to open a restaurant...a soda fountain & bakery. I worked in the last soda fountain in my area in high school (late '90s) with the 87 year old original owner and fell in love with it. And it's terrible that this and future generations will have no idea about the magic of it.

Not having to work and being able to spend my time volunteering. I love the feeling when you are doing something without expecting a return but its hard to find the time when you have a full time job and you want to spend your weekends relaxing your brain. RL

Hmmm...what a thought provoking question...so many things! One dream that's always stuck out for me is performing on Broadway -- even if it's only my husband cheering me on from the orchestra seats. I would love to belt out the show tunes that I frequently sing in the shower, the car, while cleaning, in the office, etc. And maybe wear (and look good in) blue patent leather pants like Mimi in RENT! RLclk-a

I have always wanted to go Tandem Jumping. I don't think I have the guts to jump alone, but I figure with a trained professional literally attached to my back, I might have a better chance at follow-through! On a slightly more boring note, I always dreamed I'd have my own grad-school student loans paid off before I had to put my own kids through college, so there's that wish too. :) RL! - Natalie M.

Whether I win this or not...this book is on my purchase list! I've always wanted to go skydiving. LOL but you used that. I've always wanted to own my own business. I just need to find a niche first. LOL Thanks for this great month of giveaways Stephanie! RL

I would love to publish a book--so far I just have lots of little snippets written down and hopr to someday pull them all together into something more cohesive! When I was little, I used to dream about having a PhD so I could call myself "Dr."RL

Something I've always imagined myself doing...Riding a gorgeous horse on the sand, at sunset, on an Israeli beach (that, in a perfect daydream, is deserted except for me and whoever I am there with)...I'd happily ride a horse at sunset on any pretty sandy beach, but I dearly want to go to Israel, so let's make it an Israeli beach :o) RL

I've always wanted to be able to sing..REALLY sing, like belt out the national anthem at a professional baseball game kind of sing. Since I can barely carry a tune, this is probably not very realistic but I still enjoy my solo concerts while alone in the car!

oh so many things to do, so little time. I definitely want to go to Paris. I've traveled extensively in the US. Once my son if off to college this fall, I'm going to take a painting class, learn spanish (again) and learn to make wine! I volunteer at a winery but want to try to make my own at home too. RL

I've always wanted to just drop everything and go to a warm beach in a place like Hawaii and do nothing for a couple weeks. It would help me "recharge" and find the stuff that makes me tick. Relaxation without worry. Maybe someday...RL

Well, I've always imagined getting my pilot's license. I'm not a very good flier but there is something amazing about being able to fly my own plane or helicopter. I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to be a pilot, but it's on my Bucketlist.

What I would like to do:1. Get my masters in Epedimology--- 2. Own a B&B on the Coast --West Coast up Northern Calif or Oregon (worked at one in my 20's and could so imagine my life there)but first and for now my life is about my 6 year old so for the rest we'll see--pretty happy were I am at now but one should never close the door to options:) RL

To publish my own recipet book! I love cooking and finding new ways to change food so everyone will enjoy it. I always make sure I master a recipe before I add it to my list so I hope one day I will reach my dream.

Hmmm... hard one. Never thought I would go sky diving but my son said he wanted to for his 18th Birthday so we are going in TWO weeks.... But what have I always wanted?!?!? *staring at the screen* sad to say that I have really never even thought about it.. and I'm nearly FORTY. Always so worried about what other people want... I would actually like to travel more.. yeah SEE THE WORLD! That's what I want! RL

I would love to be able to travel to the Pacific Northwest, and see the Ocean. My family is all from the East Coast, and I have seen the Atlantic many times, but have never seen the Pacific. I think it's time.

And while I am out that way, I would love to go up into Alaska and actually see the Northern Lights. In person. I have seen many pictures and videos of them, but seeing them in person? Now THAT would be amazing.

I've always imagined going to Australia. I've wanted to go there since I was 8 and my mom had a patient who was Australian who stayed with us. I'd love to go there and visit her, although I doubt she'd remember me after all this time!

I've always wanted to get my pilot's license. My grandfather was a pilot, and when I was 12 he got me a flying lesson for my birthday where an instructor took me up and let me fly the little plane. It was incredible, and I have dreamed of flying again ever since.

Something I have always wanted to do and hope to do before I die, is to go up in a hot-air balloon. They are so awesome to watch from the ground. I can't even imagine what it is like to be up in the air in one!

Thanks for your giveways! I hope you and hubby had a great weekend away!

Two things...I really have always wanted to try skydiving. Throw my fear of heights and caution to the wind and try something that looks absolutely freeing. The other is to travel all over Italy and Spain. These countries just fascinate me with their history, culture, and art. I just have to experience it for myself.RL

Wow there are so.many.things I had imagined I'd be doing or the life I'd be living - rather than the one I'm in right now. I too, dream of having a book or something that I've written published - but like you said - I guess I actually need to write it first!!

I've also wanted to become a photographer too - I even have the nice camera too - just need to get out there and sell my talents I guess.

I am Italian and I have always imagined that I would travel to Italy and see where my family was from. My grandma was born in Italy and came to the U.S. as a small child. It is one of my dreams to see to the city where she lived and emerge myself in the culture. This book by Kristina Riggle sounds really interesting. My father is an alcoholic so I can relate to the story line as well. To the second part - RLMiss G-thing

I've always wanted to open my own used book store with a small cafe. I want it to be in a house rather than a building with a garden and a big tree in the front. During nice weather there would a few small tables where people could nibble on baked goods and coffee enjoying their books. We would have a special kids area too where people could trade thier kids books for new ones. We live in small town New England and think it's a perfect spot for my store. Just need to money to get stated.

For years, I've wanted to travel to Paris, France and see the Eiffel tower. I have an unnatural obsession with it- I have paintings and pictures all over my house of it! My friend just spent a month there recently and I was so jealous! Le sigh..

For years now, I've wanted to learn to ski. Living with snowy winters my whole life, I've never learned, and I'm so uncoordinated that I'm not sure it would go very well. And despite what they say, with my clumsiness, it really could hurt to try! haha

I have always imagined that I would travel around the US on a road trip in an RV. Just sell everything and hit the road with no timeline or deadline. And you know, my husband is just now thinking we might do that someday. (after years of telling me I am crazy.) So maybe that wish will come true in a few years or so.

I've always imagined about taking off and starting over somewhere. Now with kids, it doesn't have the same ring of authenticity to it, but the lure of moving to a small town and getting a service- industry type of job just hooks me. I'm attracted to books like that too - Hank and Chloe, Dakota, Hope Was Here. RL

I have always wanted to travel. From the time that I was young I read books about far off places and knew that someday I wanted to see those places. I have a good made a good start and I know that more traveling is in my future. For now though, I travel each time that I read a book. RL

I've always imagined my husband and I living in a very lush environment in a country cottage home; we would own a small cafe attached to a little bookshop. I think sometimes maybe I read a little too much...

I use to work on a very busy street and would always see older women riding motorcycles and thought if they could do that then I could do that. I did it! I told my husband I would never ever ride in the rain and guess what.. I did that too! So this summer I would love for us to take our motorcycles on a getaway weekend across the state.Pennygirl,Manitowoc

I have always wanted to try bungee jumping!! I don't know why, because I am scared of heights, but I think it would be an amazing rush anyway! Maybe someday I will do it :)PS This book sounds AWESOME, yet again! :)Alli M. Jones

I've always wanted to live on a beach. I daydream about waking up with the sun, sitting out on the deck drinking coffee while listening to the waves, getting way too much sun and relaxing on the warm sand. Think of how many books I could read then! Someday...